A/N: hey everyone! I would like to say this is my first fanfic so I would appreciate different kinds of reviews but please no flames, I want to get better, not demoralized lol. Well anyway all rights go to intelligent systems and Nintendo, I own nothing besides this story plot and a few characters. Oh and I don't know if I did a really good job with the characters, but I think the story itself should be good, anyway I hope you all enjoy the fic!
P.S. Sorry if it's a little OOC oh and Corrin/avatar will not be in the fic! Anyway please enjoy and R/R!
Lightning crackled as men walked across the land. Mud seeping into their boots, soaked by the rain of the earth and the sweat the men had acquired while marching into uncharted territory. One man rode on horseback, his dark armor covering his well toned body and a black circlet was all that he wore on his head to keep his blond locks from falling over and sticking to his stone cold but yet so handsome face. His hands snapped at the reins of the horse he strode on to keep at a steady pace through the mud that was caused by the storm lit their path as they crossed the land, the sun blocked by the dark clouds that have enveloped the land for centuries. the rain washing away the sins that they will dutifully commit, on order from the king of their land. The blond man wondered what is to come as he looked ahead, past the dark trees that agre native to their land, the kingdom of Nohr. The trees looked grotesque to the eye as they sat in pools of still, green water. Their limbs stretching far to sky, grasping for the light, but there is no such thing in this land. He looked beyond and saw plains of grass, the storm settling slightly as they ventured forward, reaching the border of their kingdom. Magical, that was the word he used when he first saw the drastic change in weather temperament. The skies past the border were mixing with the dark clouds from their homeland. As if the weather itself was fighting for dominance over the other. He sighed,
"Something amiss, milord Xander?" Asked a man beside Xander, Xander looked at the man to his right with light grey hair and a young but knowing face. The man went by the name Laslow, he was very loyal to Xander and a good friend, Xander just smiled at his retainer.
"Nothing that must worry you Laslow, I am just thinking about the conquest of today," Xander spoke, Laslow nodded with a knowing look before casting his gaze forward. Laslow knew of the weight that held onto Xander's shoulders, making sure he and every soldier here would come back alive after the battle that will happen today. But such things were impossible, and Laslow knew this, which is why he chose to not ask Xander more, and let Xander think of his own thoughts.
Xander and his men finally crossed the border, basking in the warm sunlight and blue skies. Though Xander was happy to be rid of the rain, he did not smile. This day did not ask for such things, as a great battle was about to ensue.
Crossing the border, Xander and his men walk across the Great Plains which led into Hoshido. The plains had grass taller than some of Xander's men, which worried Xander greatly.
"Stay alert!" Yelled Xander, which was repeated behind him several times, making sure his army understood the situation they were most likely in. Xander wish he could go by sea instead of leading his troops into this field of mystery. However, King Garon ordered Leo to take to the naval command. Leo being a better tactician than Xander, it made sense just in case they ran into naval conflict, and King Garon reasoned that Xander was the strongest soldier in all of Nohr, so it only made sense that he led the troops forward. His very presence was a reassurance and a morale booster, Laslow had once told him. Still though, it was too quiet. Other than the constant rustling of the grass, nothing was happening, which worried Xander greatly. The Hoshidans knew of their arrival, knew of the coming conflict, so where is it. Xander's nerves were on edge. Being on horse back he could see over the grasslands, no end to the grass in sight. Xander rested his hand on Siegfried to ease his nerves. Then without warning, small explosions appeared all around them, shooting men into the air like rag dolls. Then out of the explosions came smoke which covered Xander's army.
"GET IN FORMATION!" Yelled Xander over the noise of chaos, his order being barked back several times to the standing army, Xander looked around, unable to see anything other than a few paces around him. Xander heard a slight whistling over the mass chaos.
"RAISE YOUR SHIELDS!" Xander yelled as he rose his shield above his head. Seconds later it was pelted by arrows. Screams were heard throughout his army. Xander cursed at himself, they were in the worst possible predicament. The smoke started to clear a bit. Xander looked forward and saw in the distance what looked like to be birds. He knew better though, knew of the Kenshi Knights of Hoshido, before he could bark another order the grass all around them turned up side down, revealing rabbit holes that housed Hoshidan soldiers in them.
"BANZAI!" They yelled as they swarmed the army. Xander charged forward, cutting down anyone dumb enough to come near. A few men followed Xander as he raised his sword and then leveled it onto another mans shoulder. Slicing him in two. He kept going, cutting open another man, chopping another mans head off. Xander begun to circle forward.
"STAY IN FORMATION!" Xander yelled, looking back, but it was too late, the sneak attack happened all over the fields of grass, surprising and killing Xander's men, they were out of line, out of formation, out of his control. Xander cut down another man with a long swing from atop his steed. Releasing his rage onto the enemy. Cries of war and sounds of metal were all that could be heard at the moment. Xander galloping through slashing and hacking his way forward, trying to push through with part of his army that was able to fall back in formation. Xander looked up and saw the Kenshi Knights were now swooping down and slicing through his entourage. Xander cursed, wishing that his father gave him a wyvern troop, but Camilla had her own battle to fight. Xander knew a losing battle when he saw one. He had to rally his remaining troops.
"FALLBACK" yelled Xander, as he backed away slowly with his horse, he yelled it again as he sliced through some Hoshidans that charged at him. Xander rose Siegfried, killing multiple men with a black beam that shot out of the hilt. Xander went to turn around to run backward and lead his men to safety but a man yelled his name.
"Milord we are surrounded, they routed us from the back milord!" Xander looked and noticed it was Laslow, who was a bloody mess. Xander's eyes went wide, cursing the Hoshidans cowardly tactics. He looked forward. Saw the Hoshidans morale only rising as they drove their way through his unit. Xander knew what had to be done.
"Tell all remaining units to bring all their power to the rear guard, push through so we may retreat, I shall create an opening in the front," Xander said, then he snapped the reins on his horse to push him forward at a brisk pace. He didn't even know if Laslow heard him, but as crown prince of Nohr, it was his duty to protect his troops, and so he shall. He surged forward with blood lust as he cut down foe after foe, some of his men chose to go with him, to make an opening in the rear by applying pressure in the front, admirable was all Xander thought, was all he could afford to think while he hacked and sliced his way through. His men slowly falling beside him, Xander came crashing down onto a man with his horse, trampling him, his horse whinnied in agony as it fell over, multiple stab wounds and a long naginata entered its chest from the man it trampled. Xander rolled off avoiding the fallen animal, trying not to get crushed. Xander realized he was then surrounded. Xander yelled, and in response jumped at the wall of men, parrying a blade, dodging another, cutting his way through the endless hoard of opponents. Drenched in the blood of his enemies, not knowing if any were his own, not caring, knowing what was to come. He heard screams, not knowing if they were his own or the men he felled, but he pushed through until not one man dared step forward to attack him. Xander's arms felt like lead as he huffed and wheezed for air. Drenched in sweat and blood. Adrenaline and fury keeping him from the pain that he should be feeling. He looked out and seeing the men around, petrified by his grace, his rage. The men started to shift, creating an opening and to Xander's surprise a woman walked out. She wore white armor that shone with the sunlight, her short red hair flowing around her head as the wind blew, small petite face that looked like royalty let alone warlike, but Xander cared not at the moment, because by the way her curvy hips trotted forward, wielding a naginata, he knew that she was his next opponent, she would fall like the rest of them. Xander gripped his sword with both hands and faced her fully, left foot forward, the woman rose the naginata above her head and squatted, sitting under it with the blade pointing at Xander. She then spoke, a light voice
"What is your name?" She said, Xander not knowing if he had misheard or if he just imagined the interaction. He rose his head, looking into her eyes that shone brightly with a fierceness that Xander knew well.
"I am Xander, crown prince of Nohr" Xander spoke, and her eyes widened. Xander used that instant of shock to will himself forward, swiping Siegfried down onto her. She barely managed to deflect the attack with her naginata, Siegfried crashed into the dirt next to her, she spun the naginata around her, using the power from Siegried and came slicing at Xander's head. Xander bent back avoiding the collision and pulling Siegried out of the ground in the process. She spun back around dancing with the naginata as she begun to attack Xander. Xander parried as best as he could, but with a naginata she had the advantage of reach and speed. Xander was being driven back, Xander's arms ached from the battles prior and he was fatigued, however he could not lose, he couldn't lose hope. With new found power Xander let out a feral cry as he stepped into her, letting the naginata strike down onto his left shoulder, he dodged the blade but the pole crashed into his shoulder. She realized Xander's intentions and then jumped backward, but it was too late, Xander grabbed the naginata with his left hand, ignoring the intense pain with adrenaline and sheer will. He knew that the crushing blow broke his shoulder but he cared not at the moment. with all his might he kicked her stomach and pulled the naginata, she released the naginata instantly, as she fell backwards, Xander jumped atop her, pinning her to the ground. Before she could even react he put his left hand on her chest to steady himself as he rested Siegfried on her neck with his other hand. Her eyes were wide with shock and fear while his were filled with fury and victory. They were both breathing erratically, and Xander smirked at her.
"Before I am sent to oblivion, I will send you first, any last words?" were the words Xander spoke as he stared into her eyes. She then looked with all the rage she could muster.
"Even in oblivion you are not safe from torment" she spat, he smirked again. Raising his blade.
"Well said" he brought it down on her only for it to be blocked by a katana. Xander was then kicked off, lying on his back with a blade at his throat.
"Prince Xander of Nohr, get ready to wish you were sent to oblivion" was what the man said, then without warning kicked Xander in the side of the head. Knocking him unconscious.
Hinoka stood up, brushing herself off. Shivering and knees weak, still getting over almost dying. Ryoma sheathed his blade after wiping it clean from the blood that soaked it. Hinoka looked at him, then at Xander.
"Why spare him?" She asked, infuriated that he was on top of her, touched her chest, albeit not sexually, but none the less still touched what should not be touched. Angry that he claimed her to be dead, angry that he said he would be joining her!
Furious because that was the first time she lost.
"He is the crowned prince of Nohr is he not? Keeping him alive will benefit us greatly," Ryoma said, as he directed his troops. Hinoka went to say something but was interrupted by a loud whooping.
"We won! For Hoshido!" Someone yelled out, and that made everyone erupt with cheer, Hinoka just sighed. Happy she was, but raw anger covered said emotion. She looked down at Xander. Seeing his sleeping form on the ground, his face still and limbs sprawled. She scoffed.
"Pathetic" was all she said as she walked next to Ryoma who was cheering with everyone. Ryoma noticed her approach, he looked past her and noticed Xander.
"You two, tie up his hands and feet. We don't want our bargaining tool to run or get killed" Ryoma said, the two men bowed out of respect then went and dragged Xander away. Hinoka watched as they dragged him away. Still irritated, she stomped her away through the crowd of men, making her way to her Tenma. She saddled herself and took off, flying her way back to Shirazaki. The capital city.
"Kenshi Knights!" Hinoka yelled, and then a multitude of Kenshi and Tenma got into formation around her, flying off.
"Everyone! Begin the march back to the capital!" Ryoma yelled, everyone yelled in unison. Happy with the victory they had just received protecting their home land.
Xander awoke with a groggy start, everything was fuzzy for him but the memories of what happened came flooding back to him. He looked up but winced as his head hit the wall he was chained to. He looked and noticed his hands were chained outstretched away to either side of his body while he slumped down. Just noticing this position, he immediately felt uncomfortable, the strain in his muscles, the bruises all over his body. He went to move his arms but yelped when he moved his left arm, his left shoulder was definitely broken. The pain soon washed over him in this uncomfortable position. He blew upward trying to get his bloody and sweaty locks off his face, to no avail of course. He looked around the dim cell as best as he could. Noticing that he was kneeling in dirt, bars in front of him with two candles on the wall in front of him. Perfect dungeon, being how he was the the only one in the cell he must be the only prisoner. A sigh of relief escaped him, thinking that maybe that his troops retreated successfully after all. Xander was left with his thoughts of the battle that took place, the cowardice of the Hoshidans, the rabbit holes used to break his formation, the smoke explosions so they knew not of the arrows, he tried his best still failed, failed his men, failed his country, failed his family,
He failed himself
Known to be the greatest warrior in all of Nohr, allowing himself to be captured, a scoff was released at the thought. Dying for his homeland would have meant much more than locked up as a prisoner for all his life being tortured, or possibly worst. If there even was a worst. As crown prince of Nohr it went against his pride to be like this, captured, dirty, abashed,
Helpless
Being alone with his own thoughts was bad enough, he almost wish someone come, but for the moment he shall be alone, maybe not for long, after all a guard surely would be checking on him.
Or he was just left to rot
That thought was immediately dismissed, he reasoned the capture would hold no value if he were to rot. Maybe announcing his title and status during that battle actually helped him. Now whether that is a blessing or a curse, only time will tell. For now he wished for sleep but his shoulder ached, he cursed inwardly, the pain will surely be too much for him to rest at all. He looked at himself and saw that other than his pants, he was naked. Bare chest, bare arms, bare feet. He felt weak, he felt like he let Nohr down, he felt disgraceful
He felt helpless
He brushed off the feeling, the word never crossed his mind till this moment in his life. However, no word truly described the way he felt now
And it scared him
He closed his eyes and prayed to the gods that maybe he could sleep soon, but fate had other plans, a metal door opened. He tilted his head and heard the sound of light footsteps. He looked out and saw a man with red hair and a mask covering his mouth. Xander knew of the ninja in this land very well, especially since he cut down multiple ninja his wartime.
"I am Saizo, not that scum like you needs to know my name" Saizo said, grabbing a bucket and beginning to fill it with water, well Xander assumed it was water as he heard splashing into the bucket.
He opened Xander's cell, grabbed the bucket and tossed it over Xander, bracing himself for cool impact of water that would wash over him. Xander was splashed and soaking wet. Now kneeling in a mud puddle. Saizo chuckled.
"Crown prince turn prisoner? A role no better fit than for Nohrian thrash like you" Saizo spoke, Xander looked up into his eyes with all the rage and scorn he could muster. Seething with hate. Saizo chuckled again.
"Struck a nerve to your pride? Good, I can't wait to break you down into an empty shell of a man" Saizo said before he began walking away. Xander opened his mouth to speak, and knew that he would regret this, but he had to get back at the man. The need to kill him was high, but how could he in his predicament? So instead he chose words that would hopefully enrage him. Not fearing the consequences that would surely come
"I've met abundant ninja" Xander said, Saizo stopping his retreat. "I've seen multiple ninja, strange colors you have in this land" he wheezed out, being dehydrated and hungry not helping his speech. Saizo begun to walk again, feeling his drabble being pointless.
"One that truly caught my eye was one with green hair"
Saizo stopped abruptly, Xander smirked, knowing that one of the ninja he killed had some sort of connection.
"He lead a group to assassinate some nobles but was caught, so naturally he was tortured for information. He pleaded and begged for the pain to stop" Xander spoke, Saizo beginning to turn around, showing no emotion, but by his actions Xander knew he had him.
"He plead and cried to me, spouting out lots of things" Xander then looked in Saizos eyes, who now stood before him. Fist clenched. Xander smirked wider.
"A man changes when they're about to die, overflowing with emotion and fear, so I got to know more about him then you ever could, closer to him then you ever were" Saizos arms started to shake and Xander heard his teeth grind on each other. Xander lost his smirk and only looked into Saizos eyes with the coldest look he could muster.
"Isn't that right, big brother Saizo?"
Xander knew not of what happened next, all he could remember was the pain that was inflicted upon him for hours to come.
Hinoka walked down the corridor of the castle, returning from a sweat inducing workout. To take her mind off her recent loss that happened a few days prior.
Defeated
She shook her head from the thought as she walked further down the corridor, then walking down a flight of stairs, reaching the bottom of the stairs she paced forward until she reached the second door on her left. She slid the door open and walked into her bedroom, which had a dresser to the adjacent wall along with a book shelf, to the other wall was a weapons rack with different sort spears on it and on the third was her room wasn't small but it wasn't large either, perfect size Hinoka thought. She walked over to her dresser which had a mirror atop of it, she begun to undress herself, looking in the mirror checking for cuts or bruises in the process, seeing none she sighed in relief as she walked across her room to another door. She slid it open to reveal a walk in closet, filled with clothes. She dug through her clothes, grabbed her bathrobe and proceeded further into her walk in closet to find another door. She opened the and met more stairs. She walked down the stairs and stopped when she was in front of another door. Hinoka opened the door to reveal a bathhouse. The bath house was very spacious, easily able to hold twenty people and still some room. The mahogany wood lining the walls which complemented the stone floor perfectly. Hinoka noticed a servant mopping the floor, said servant looked up at her, stood abruptly, then bowed while holding the mop. Hinoka chuckled a bit and just waved. The servant had messy short blue hair, and was looked no older than twelve.
"Please Kotegawa no need for that, but could you bring me a towel?" Hinoka asked as she walked by Kotegawa, handing her the bathrobe that she was holding, and started to walk into the hot water. Hinoka sighed sighed in content. Kotegawa nodded at Hinoka as she folded Hinokas bathrobe and set it down on a table next to door. Hinoka knew not what was behind that door, she just assumed it led to the servants quarters, which also happened to have the kitchen and storage rooms. Kotegawa opened the door and looked back at Hinoka in the door way.
"Malady, do you need soap as well?" Kotegawa asked, Hinoka nodded, feeling too good to bother speaking. Kotegawa smiled as she then left through the door to retrieve a towel and soap. Hinoka sighed in relaxation, a good feeling that she always had when she bathed in the personal bath belonging to her royal family. Naturally the boys had their own bath house connected to their rooms, as this one was solely meant for her, Sakura, and their mother.
Was for their mother
Hinoka shook her head of the sad thoughts, burying her head into the water. Feeling the heat radiate throughout her whole body just felt so good. She rose her head for air, letting the water run through her short hair which now stuck to her face. she heard a door and then close. She did not look but assumed that Kotegawa was back with her towel and soap.
"Just put the towel on the towel rack Kotegawa, and could you hand me the soap please?" Hinoka asked as she lifted her hand from the water, palm up. Where soap should have been, she felt a rough hand, much bigger than her own, and she immediately knew that it wasn't Kotegawa. Hinoka looked up and noticed a tall skinny man, he had black hair that fell past his shoulders, a scar that ran down his left cheek to his neck, a face that looked that of an imp, a smile that could break a mirror with the teeth so crooked, and eyes that were brown like the dirt she stepped on. His name was Klovis from the northern country of Silistia, he was crown prince.
This man disgusted her
And he was her groom to be
She jerked her hand away and immediately covered herself, squatting low into the tub, shrieking out of pure shock and disgust. He chuckled, moving his eyes up and down, trying to see more of her, which only made hold herself even tighter.
"Come now princess, it is only a matter of time, what's it matter if I see your body early?" He said, she shivered, somehow feeling cold in the hot bath, and her anger rose significantly. She hated the sound of his voice the most, it sounded squeaky but stern, demanding for respect that he did not deserve from her. She looked up at him, breathing heavily with rage building in her chest. He smiled wider, grossing her out more.
"I would... Rather die..." Hinoka breathed out, furious at the man. She would have him killed for being here, as any other man sneaking a peek on her would feel her fury, she gulped.
But unfortunately he was right
He would see her body in a few months time, she cried for hours when her father told her, said that they had no choice. Due to the constant war between Nohr and Hoshido, countries around started to feel the effect of the war as well. Some losing out on needed resources and others being war zones. Silistia was to the northwest, past the bottomless canyon and above Nohr. The country of Silistia was not small by no means, on par with Hoshido and Nohr. Now the war has affected Silistia because it prevented trade with Nohr. Silistia being a Northern country needed the trade for multiple different types of crops due to the long winter, so when the war restarted, food supply was low while demand was very high. Silistian King Aggram threatened war on Hoshido to bring trade back to them, since they were trading partners with Nohr. Hoshido being unable to fight a two against one war had little options. Hoshido offered to trade with the country of Silistia, but by doing so Nohrian aggression rised. Hoshido was stuck, and Silistia was determined to have trade, not caring with who. So it turned into a power struggle for Silistia. Hoshido beat out Nohr for struggle though only on one condition.
Forced marriage
This was when Hinoka was only around five so she wasn't worrying about it too much, but as she got older she started to understand the true meaning behind it, and it terrified her. The crown prince when he first saw her was apparently about twenty when she was eight. So now he is practically thirty something and since he was Aggrams only offspring, Hinoka was the obvious choice in the matter. Now for the future of Hoshido this was an honor.
But to her it was a living nightmare
"You disgust me Klovis, now leave before I call the guards" Hinoka spat as she stuck to the wall of the bath which was all that separated them, and since the bath was in ground it wasn't a very good barricade. Hinoka clutched herself, trying to keep out of sight as much as possible. Klovis only laughed again as he squatted down, and Hinoka leaned back to stay away, still holding herself.
"I have diplomatic immunity thanks to your old man, so who cares? He needs me remember? Why do you think I can get away with this? The last thing your country needs is a two sided war no?" He said smiling, and Hinoka was speechless. He only laughed as he stood and begun to walk away, opening the door to the servants quarters. He looked over his shoulder at Hinoka, still smirking he spoke again.
"Enjoy your freedom while you can little girl, because soon you will be mine, remember that" Klovis said as he shut the door behind
Hinoka shook with fear. Not believing that such a man was royalty, not believing that he was a prince, wishing that this world was less cruel. She would sometimes wish that this was a fairy tail and someone would come and just sweep her off her feet and take her away from that man, her knight in shining armor, her fair prince. Klovis was no prince, not by her standards at least. She needed someone to save her, someone, anyone.
"Malady sorry I'm late, but there were no clean towels so I had to go get some in the laundry room on the otherside of the castle" Kotegawa said while walking in, Hinoka smiled, putting on a mask.
"It's fine Kotegawa" Hinoka said, Kotegawa smiled sweetly at her as she set the towel and soap on the table adjacent to Hinoka. Hinoka watched Kotegawa leave, Hinoka looked down into the murky bath water, one tear rolling down her eye.
Where was her knight in shining armor?
A/N: alright I hope you guys enjoyed the story, now please click that comment button and tell me how good or bad I did, I need the criticism, especially since I want to be a writer (I know I'm not good at the moment but that's okay practice makes perfect!) so just some tips and such would be nice. Anyway enjoy the rest of your day! Without the Light signing out! XP